MARINE ENERGY WITH 40% OF EUROPEAN MARINE ENERGY RESOURCE, WE MUST CONSERVE OUR GLOBAL LEAD
Developing marine renewable energy technologies, comprising wave, tidal stream and tidal range, is an area where Britain leads the world, with the leading projects, engineers, technology and construction. We are already exporting our designs and expertise across the world, but if progress domestically stalls, we risk handing away our advantage just as we did with onshore wind technology in the 1970s.
Marine is a massive untapped resource in the UK. Europe holds 20-30% of global wave and tidal resources, 40% of which is located in and around the coastlines of the UK. Estimates suggest that, if fully exploited, wave and tidal power could supply at least 15-20% of the UK’s electricity.
Marine technology in the UK is still at the pre-commercialisation stage, and whilst there are projects currently deployed and
generating electricity, growth has been held back by uncertainty regarding future support from central Government. In order to attract investment, the industry needs confidence that the current levels of financial support will be maintained in the longer term. This will facilitate innovation, expansion and economies of scale, which will all drive down costs. Close collaboration with Government will enable development of the skills, infrastructure and technology base to ensure that the UK remains at the global forefront of this burgeoning technology.
Wave power
The power of the waves is readily visible on nearly every ocean shore in the world. Much research has gone into developing technologies to harness the energy of the waves and transform it into electricity. However, further support for R&D in generation
Crown Estate key resources chart for wave and tidal energy
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